I received an inquiry from a man interested in some genital piercings:

Dear Elayne,

I wondered if I might trouble you for some advice please? I have been thinking about the possibility of running a circular ring around the base of my penis through two frenums on each side, and a lorum. I havn't had these piercings done yet, but I wondered if you thought this might be possible and if so, how the best way to do this might be (i.e. get the three piercings first? How much skin they should span etc.)? Hope you might be able to advise me on this, and thank you for offering to be contacted; you're website is invaluable!

Best wishes,

J.

My reply:

You would get the piercings separately, have them heal with individual jewelry, and then insert a ring through all three.

However, the only way that's going to work is if you don't have much of a change in the dimensions of that area when you're fully erect. The ring will need to be large enough to encompass your maximum size during erection. Would the jewelry required to fit you at that size distort the tissue when you are flaccid? Most likely so, in which case, this is not going to be a safe or comfortable arrangement.

If you think you could comfortably wear the same size ring when erect and flaccid, then you may be able to wear this combination (assuming the placement of the piercings is lined up properly--as that can also be fairly different between those two normal states.

Good luck! Let me know if you give it a try and how it works out for you.

I recently got a message from a man who was having some trouble with his Prince Albert piercing:

Thanks for the great site, and your book.

I got a PA 5 weeks ago, ¾” inch captive ball stainless steal ring, 8g. I am uncircumcised. Placement etc. was fine, but it soon became clear that the ring was a wee bit too small in diameter and causing pain during erections. On the advice of my piercer I waited a few weeks to have it changed, he felt it might mostly be initial swelling and he was reluctant to swap out jewelry too soon. I eventually, at 3 weeks in, had the ring changed to a 7/8” which seems to be the perfect size. After-care throughout has been washing with mild soap once/day, and 2 or 3 sea-salt soaks per day. I also put a small dab of emu oil on after the soaks.

Problem: about a week ago I developed a bump along the edge of the piercing hole. It is not warm or red, looks like a small blister, no hint of puss or other fluids. It is about 1mm thick, and goes around about ¼ of the circumference of the piercing. No signs of infection etc., but this "blister" is very sensitive, feels like being poked with a needle every time anything touches it. Otherwise the PA is pain-free, but that one tiny bump is certainly hurting!

Possible complications is that I’ve had the flu for a few days, so my immune system is no doubt busy. I’m also a cyclist and have been biking to work (the bus got too expensive). While I did take two weeks off the bike after getting pierced and felt no pain or discomfort while cycling, I may have added insult to injury.

What do you think this painful little bugger is? Other than the warm soaks and staying off the bike, any advice for getting rid of it, or at least making it less painful?

I received a message and a few photos from a gentleman who was interested in a double apadravya (he already had one):

I have read a lot about your expertise in the field of piercings. Attached is pic of my current apadravya with marks of where I would like to have a second apadravya. When I first talked to my piercer, she said that with that placement it might make it hard to heal as the top is in the corona and the bottom is in the shaft. Thus creating a movement difference. I saw pictures of a guy that got off centered RPAs and PAs for the purpose of eventually wearing them as an apadravya X. I was wondering if I could do something similar to get a PA/RPA in those spots for healing and stretching separately? Then when after healed from the final stretch put in a barbell. I don't think it would work well to do a shaft apadravya as it would be really close to my frenums. Thanks for any advice or information you could provide.R.

I received a message and a few photos from a gentleman who was interested in a double apadravya (he already had one):

I have read a lot about your expertise in the field of piercings. Attached is pic of my current apadravya with marks of where I would like to have a second apadravya. When I first talked to my piercer, she said that with that placement it might make it hard to heal as the top is in the corona and the bottom is in the shaft. Thus creating a movement difference. I saw pictures of a guy that got off centered RPAs and PAs for the purpose of eventually wearing them as an apadravya X. I was wondering if I could do something similar to get a PA/RPA in those spots for healing and stretching separately? Then when after healed from the final stretch put in a barbell. I don't think it would work well to do a shaft apadravya as it would be really close to my frenums. Thanks for any advice or information you could provide.R.

I got a message from a reader who wanted my input on frenum piercings:

Hi there Elayne,

I own your book and respect you and your opinions like no other. Please keep up the good work.

I am curious about a frenum piercing, except lower, about halfway down the shaft and maybe 3 of them. I was wondering if I sent you a picture if I could get your opinion on if my anatomy would be fort for these piercing. I have a very good piercer set up to do it for me, except I dont have a lot of money to make 2 trips, like one extra for a consult. That's why I was asking I you could let my know what you think.

Also I was thinking curved barbell? Whats you opinion on that? Also possibly a horseshoe later on. If you can accept pics what address would I email it to? My piercer and I were talking and she suggested about 1/2" curved barbell at 14 gauge to start. Thanks for your time. J.

Below is a correspondence exchange between me and a woman who had questions about genital (and ear cartilage) piercings for her and for her boyfriend:

Hi Elayne!

I'm sure Atlanta was glad to have you back! Unfortunately for me, I've moved to Oklahoma for a while. I keep up with your schedule so I'm hoping that one of these days, I will have the pleasure and privilege to meet you.

I have two questions and since ladies should always go first, I will ask the question in regards to the Christina piercing. Lol. I've done some research on it and find it very attractive. Can you tell me more about it and is it and ok piercing for a woman to have?

Secondly, my boyfriend wants to get a frenum piercing however, it will be his first and only piercing and his main concern is the placing of the piercing itself. He was curious about, and sorry for being graphic but, masturbation and intercourse. After it's healed, will the placement affect what he does with his penis? I'm also curious myself since I'm the one who suggested it after we looked at several different kind of male gential piercings and he asked me which one I liked. Anyways, that's all I wanted to know.